If the mainstream media were interested in reporting what's actually happening in Iraq, as opposed to pushing an agenda, this story would be front page news in every major paper in America today,

The number of American troops and Iraqi civilians killed in the war fell in September to levels not seen in more than a year. The U.S. military said the lower count was at least partly a result of new strategies and 30,000 additional U.S. forces deployed this year.

Although it is difficult to draw conclusions from a single month's tally, the figures could suggest U.S.-led forces are making headway against extremist factions and disrupting their ability to strike back.

The U.S. military toll for September was 65, the lowest since July 2006, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press from death announcements by the American command and Pentagon.

More dramatic, however, was the decline in Iraqi civilian, police and military deaths. The figure was 988 in September — 50 percent lower than the previous month and the lowest tally since June 2006, when 847 Iraqis died.

As David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker wrote on Monday, "Much work lies ahead...," but that doesn't change the fact that any American who cares about his country and wants us to win in Iraq should be happy to hear this news.

Which brings us to the mainstream media. They've weaved a narrative that paints Iraq as spiraling downward, ever worsening, and irretrievably lost, but this story shows the surge is having a tremendous positive impact and taking the country in the right direction.

Will they make sure that the American people are as well informed about this important progress as they are about the setbacks in Iraq? They certainly should...

Hat tip to Blogs For Bush for the story.